Be There or Be Square: John Paul Keith and the One Four Fives

This past week I went to see Lucero play at the Echoplex. While their Southern Springsteen flavored rock was great, I was really blown away by their opener: John Paul Keith and the One Four Fives. John Paul Keith et al hail from Memphis, TN and they jumped onstage and tore it up. They may not be breaking new ground with their rockabilly and British invasion infused sound, but their energy, enthusiasm and technical prowess carried the day.

I was a little surprised to be honest. John Paul Keith looks like Andy Dick if he were a member of The Who, but man, could his fingers fly. JPK looks like one of those guys who between the ages of 15 and 25 locked himself in a bedroom practicing scales all day and it has paid off for him. Definitely give a listen to “Pure Cane Sugar,” or their cover of “Come On, Let’s Go”. They’ll be on the road for the next few weeks, so if you want to get out and have a good time seeing a band that’s also having a good time, check them out.

-DJ Bears!